Related Articles

Quinoa is an incredibly versatile — and healthy — food that you’ll want to keep stocked in your pantry at all times.

(Pssst… it’s pronounced “KEEN-wah.”)

There’s a quinoa recipe for pretty much anything — salad, muffins, cookies (yes!), wraps, side dishes… you get the idea.

Quinoa — a pseudograin, or a seed that’s eaten like a grain — is gluten-free and a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies need but can’t produce.

One cup of cooked quinoa contains eight grams of protein, which is nearly double the amount found in white rice.

It’s perfect for meal prepping — just cook up a big batch and use it in any of the quinoa recipes below!

How to Cook Quinoa

But first, here’s how to make perfect, fluffy quinoa every time:

1. Wash your quinoa. Use a fine mesh strainer to thoroughly rinse.

2. Add 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water to a pot. For a lighter quinoa with more of a “bite,” America’s Test Kitchen recommends a 1:1 ratio.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to bring it down to a simmer; cover for 15–20 minutes.

4. DON’T lift up the cover to see what’s going on — let your quinoa cook in peace.

5. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Quinoa Recipes for Breakfast

1. Spinach, Tomato, and Quinoa Breakfast Casserole

With this easy-peasy, protein-packed casserole, you can make an entire week’s breakfasts in a single ovenproof pan. It makes five servings of hearty, protein-packed meals.

Just reheat briefly in a microwave or toaster oven, and go. Get the recipe.

Portion Fix Containers: 1 Green, 1 Red, 1 Yellow

2B Mindset Plate It!: A great breakfast option. Add veggies or a side salad for lunch.

2. Zucchini, Ham, and Cheese Quinoa Cups

These healthier muffins aren’t loaded with sugar or empty calories. This healthy quinoa breakfast recipe features lean ham, nutty quinoa, zucchini, and cheese baked into yummy muffins you can eat on-the-run. Get the recipe.

Portion Fix Containers: ½ Green, ½ Red, ½ Yellow, ½ Blue

2B Mindset Plate It!: Add another protein and an FFC to make a complete breakfast.

3. Fruity Whole-Grain Breakfast Porridge

We’re bringing porridge back with this set-it and forget-it quinoa recipe.

Plain oatmeal gets a bold makeover in this sweet, spiced breakfast porridge. Steel cut oats are slow cooked overnight along with other hearty whole grains, dried cranberries, and apricots. Get the recipe.

Portion Fix Containers: 1 Purple, 1½ Yellow, 1 Blue, ½ tsp.

2B Mindset Plate It!: Makes a great FFC as part of breakfast.

Quinoa Recipes for Lunch

4. Spinach Salad With Quinoa, Chickpeas, and Paprika Dressing

With a cornucopia of colorful veggies and hearty greens, this salad is a great meal prep option: The recipe makes 12 portions, and you’re going to want to eat them all.

Even after it’s dressed, this salad stores well for up to 3 days! Get the recipe.

Portion Fix Containers: ½ Green, 1½ Yellow, ½ Blue, ½ tsp.

2B Mindset Plate It!: A great lunch option for the vegan plan. For non-vegans, replace beans OR quinoa with a protein for lunch.